Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Rotary essay contest. Delaware Valley juniors Aiden Rubenstein earned frist place, Nicoletta Cuccio places second and Kayli Ziolkowski was honored in third place at a Rotary meeting on Feb. 25 at Balch’s resturant in Milford.

Students were required to write a 250-300 word essay describing what the theme of education meant to them using the topic “Engage Education, Change Lives.”

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are urging wildlife enthusiasts to join the tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the United States in the Audubon Society’s 114th Annual Christmas Bird Count, which will take place Dec. 14 through Jan. 5.

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen-science survey in the world, and the data collected through the count allows researchers, conservation biologists, and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America.

Local counts will occur on one day between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. Volunteers can pick the most convenient circle, or participate in more than one count. It takes place within “count circles,” which focus on specific geographical areas. Each circle is led by a “count compiler,” who is an experienced birdwatcher, enabling beginning birders to learn while they assist.

Those who live within the boundaries of a count circle can even stay at home and report the birds that visit their backyard feeders.

The first step in participation is to locate a count circle that’s seeking participants and contact the local count compiler on Audubon’s website, www.audubon.org, to find out how you can volunteer.

In Pike County, The Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry hosts a count circle that encompasses most of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. To get involved in the count, contact Molly Check at 570-828-2319.

There is no fee to participate in the Christmas bird count.

Dan Brauning, who heads the Game Commission’s wildlife diversity division, said the Christmas Bird Count makes an indispensible contribution to conservation because it monitors bird species that spend winters in Pennsylvania.

“Some of these species are much easier to count or monitor in winter because their breeding ground is so far north in areas where there are few people or roads to give access to habitat,” Brauning said.

The rusty blackbird, for instance, migrates from the boreal taiga forests of Canada and Alaska to the southeastern United States in winter, Brauning said. Pennsylvania is on the northern edge of its winter range, and it sometimes turns up in the Christmas Bird Count, he said. Hawks also are more easily counted in winter, Brauning said.

Pike County hands of hope plans a candlelight vigil during the night of the National Homeless People’s memorial, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m., on the Pike County courthouse lawn.

The vigil is meant to remember those homeless people who have died because of their lack of housing.

That evening, Pike County Hands of Hope will also collect items for local homeless and nearly homeless people. Those who are nearly homeless are facing foreclosure or eviction.

Items being collected are for hygiene kits and include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, shaving cream, soap, men’s winter gloves, sheets, pillowcases, and gift cards from local businesses. Notes of encouragement to be placed in the kits are also appreciated. For more information about Pike County hands of hope call 570-296 HOPE (4673)

A new picnic pavilion will provide picnicking options for larger groups at the Delaware State Park in Milford Township. The pavilion, built from Douglas Fir posts and beams, has a concrete floor, . cedar ceiling and standing seam metal roof.

Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., recently built the picnic area featuring eco-friendly amenities at Lily Pond picnic area trailhead and forest demonstration, located on Schocopee Road in Milford. Inside a precast concrete restroom facility is a waterless composting toilet, an environmentally friendly feature

The pavilion, was advertised for bid to local contractors last year, was funded through a partnership between Pike County and state government.

Through an agreement with Pike County, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources has taken over management of Lily Pond

In conjunction with the annual Milford Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7th,

Before the Milford tree lighting Ceremony Saturday, the Pike County Public Library will show a children’s holiday movie from 2-4 p.m.

During the movie, parents may leave and take advantage of local shopping. The event is open to children ages 5-10.

The film will be shown in the Community Room of the library’s new Dorothy E. Warner building, located at 119 East Harford Street.

Registration for the movie is recommended but not necessary. Parents must leave their name and a phone number when dropping off their between 1:45 and 2:00 p.m.

All children must be picked up by their parents by 4:15, just in time to enjoy the festivities at the tree lighting ceremony, which begins at 4:30 in front of the Community House, at the intersection of Broad and Harford streets in Milford.

To register your child, visit the PCPL in Milford or call 570-296-8211.

The Pike County Historical Society, in cooperation with Harmony Presents, will bring the award-winning stage production “For the Benefit of Miss Jennie Gourlay” to the Hawley Silk Milll on Friday, Dec. 20.

Broadway actor and costumer, Billy Hipkins, stars in the one-man production that takes a fresh look at the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It focuses on the life of Jennie Gourlay, an actress poised to star at Ford’s Theatre before John Wilkes Booth killed the President; and with him, Gourlay’s dreams of stardom.

At the time, Jennie Gourlay was an actress in the production of the play Our American Cousin, which was being performed the night of President Lincoln’s assassination. Waiting in the wings when the assassination occurred, she was shoved to the ground when Booth hurried past her in his escape from the theatre. She knew Booth, as did the entire cast, and was forever saddened and perplexed by his actions that fateful night.

Gourlay eventually married and moved to Milford, where she lived until her death in1928.

She held in her possession an American flag said to have briefly cushioned the dying Presidents head while he lay on the floor of the Presidential Box. The flag, known as The Lincoln Flag, is now in the possession of the Pike County Historical Society and displayed in their museum.

Also in the Gourlay Collection in the Columns Museum are three stage costumes belonging to the actress, one in particular which was to be worn the night of Lincoln’s assassination.

Doors for the show open at 7:15 p.m. and the production begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 by visitingwww.PikeHistorical.org/events.

Saw Creek Estates General Manager David Martin recently joined the elite group of community association managers who have earned the Association Management Specialist credential from the Community Associations Institute.

Martin, whose career includes 25 years of property management experience with several Fortune 500 firms, was hired to lead the Saw Creek Estates team in 2006. By earning the AMS credential, he joins more than 6,000 managers worldwide who have earned this designation.

“Professionals who earn CAI credentials maximize the value they can provide to their community association clients,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas Skiba, “Not only have these professionals demonstrated a personal commitment to self-improvement, but they have also elevated their practical knowledge and expertise. That’s what all community associations need, and what board members and residents deserve.”

The credential is the second level in the CAI development track for community association managers. An AMS credential is recommended for managers looking to enhance their career by increasing their knowledge and expertise.

Blog Authors

Beth Brelje

Beth Brelje writes about Pike County for the Pocono Record.
After transplanting to Pike from the Midwest, she became a super commuter and learned which bagel shops were open at 4:30 a.m. on N.J. Route 206.
Beth is passionate about connecting ... Read Full